Crossing guard hit by tractor trailer truck expected to survive

LAWRENCE — A Township crossing guard was hit by a tractor trailer truck Friday morning, closing traffic for about an hour. The man was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition.

According to police sources, around 7:00 a.m. Friday, 78-year-old Frank Novatkoski, a crossing guard who has been employed by Lawrence Township for six years, was struck by a tractor trailer truck driven by Christopher Bloom, 30, of Morrisville.

Police said that Novatkoski was crossing Lawrence Road when Bloom, who was traveling northbound, swerved to avoid him. The tractor portion of the truck missed Novatkoski, sources said, but the trailer portion struck him, knocking Novatkoski to the ground.

When paramedics arrived on scene, Novatkoski was unresponsive, police said. He was then taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment of head and upper body injuries, and remains in stable condition.

Police said Friday that the location of the accident is controlled by a traffic signal, and that the incident is still under investigation. No motor vehicle summonses have been issued at this time, police said.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call Lawrence Township Police.